Chapter 7: Gold Rings and Wild Nights
By Friday the 17th the last of Alfred and Monika's friends arrived for the parties of a lifetime. Everyone was gathered in a hotel not far from where the wedding would be held, though one person was still missing.
"So, Ivan's really showing up?" Eliza asked as she leaned on Roderich's shoulder.
"Yeah… supposed to, anyway." Alfred said as he looked at his friends.
"He's probably held up in traffic," Matthew said as he patted his twin's back. "Don't worry he'll get here."
"He better! Haven't seen his mug in a while and if he skips out I'm going to hunt him down," Gilbert said with a confident grin on his face.
Alfred rolled his eyes, but just as he did so someone said, "They'll stick if you keep doing that."
Alfred froze as he heard the familiar voice, and looked around to try and find Ivan. His eyes settled on a large man standing beside Kiku and Alfred and the gang looked up to him and stared. He was a tall man, over 6ft at least, broad frame, muscular, vibrant violet eyes, ash colored hair and a slightly darker beard that was trimmed low to his strong jaw.
"I-Ivan?" Alfred asked as he walked up to the man who nodded his head.
"Holy shit," was a shared declaration amongst most of their friends.
They stared at his face taking in how much older he looked and how good he pulled off a beard. They took note of his clothing too, seeing him dressed in coffee brown t-shirt with a bright pattern on the shirt pocket, black jeans, and leather converse. Ivan hadn't known what to wear so he just grabbed the first thing in his closet.
"Ivan, when did you get so hot?" Eliza asked astonished as she sized him up.
Ivan smiled a bit awkwardly to the statement, but then brought his focus back on Alfred. He hadn't seen the man in years and it seemed like he had gotten taller as well. His honey blonde hair was still the same with the cowlick in place, his glasses had changed to bright blue frames, and his freckles seemed to have dispersed across his face. All Ivan could think was how handsome Alfred had gotten over the years.
"Dude, that beard…" Alfred reached up to touch it and Ivan would have let him if Alfred hadn't stopped himself short. "It looks good on you." He commented with a faint blush on his face.
"Yeah, you really got that burly Russian man thing going on," Gilbert said and Ivan looked to the albino with a smirk on his face.
"You're still a child, I see."
"Damn straight," Gilbert said proudly.
Ivan smiled a little wider then looked over to see Monika and her friends smiling at him. He smiled back then let out sigh as he said, "You guys, I'm sorry about what happened after graduation. I had been… confused about some things, but everything's been worked out and I ho—"
"Ivan, you know damn well we don't care," Gilbert said abruptly.
"Yeah, we're just glad to see you and Alfred finally made up." Eliza said.
"Everything's alright," Kiku said.
"We've missed you," Matthew added in.
Ivan rubbed the back his neck and nodded then looked to Alfred shyly who just beamed a smile.
"Alright, now that everyone's kissed and made up let's get going!" Alfred declared.
"Hell yeah!"
Everyone divided up into bachelor and bachelorette and headed out to their respective cars. Gilbert drove with Matthew in the front seat as they headed off to their first stop. A club by the name of Taste and everyone steeled their nerves before plunging in. The music was loud, the place was hot, and the booze was perfect. They went to a booth reserved for them and shared shots in Alfred's honor. They only stayed long enough to get buzzed and dance a bit before going to another club. This one was where the real magic happened. The neon sign reading Temptation had Gilbert grinning at what waited inside. He led them inside to show them the very large strip club. Men and women alike danced on various stages and Alfred slapped a hand over his face.
"I should have known," he said through a laugh and Gilbert just grinned and grabbed Alfred's hand.
"Come on I got a special dance lined up for you."
"You didn't!" Alfred practically yelled in disbelief, but before he could protest he was brought upfront to a stage. "Oh my god, Gil!"
Alfred felt his face getting hot as Gilbert announced that Alfred was in the club for his bachelor party. Alfred was easily put on a stage and seated in a chair. He looked out at the crowds then at Ivan who just smiled at him. That smile eased him a little bit, but once the stripper came out his heart was racing again. She was called Diamond and she danced for him in a way that had Alfred's head spinning.
Alfred could hear his friends shouting teasing remarks, mostly Eliza and Gilbert really, as the stripper gave him the lap dance of his life. When it was over he was given a kiss on the cheek and was slightly erect. Once he got down he was given a whisky by Matthew and he laughed as Gilbert asked how he felt.
"Y'all are crazy," was all Alfred could get out before more drinks were handed to him.
Ivan had found the experience to be interesting. Watching how flustered Alfred got made him wonder if it was his first time at a strip club. He felt a little envious of the girl that got to dance on him, but no matter. He was here with his friends, with Alfred, and he was enjoying himself. He shot back drinks and even challenged his friends to a contest. Kiku took him on quickly, but gave up only five shots in. Matthew was the only one who didn't participate since he was the designated driver. It was only 6 minutes in, nearly 14 shots down and all that remained was him and Alfred. Gilbert had hung in pretty well until he finished his 12th shot and fell over. Alfred looked ready to pass out and Ivan felt a bit sick himself. They stared each other down, both just waiting for the other to put their glass up and see who lasts. Though Ivan found himself staring more at Alfred's open mouth then his face. His lips where plump and pink, just so inviting and Ivan wanted badly to cave in. He wanted to set down his shot and kiss those lips all night. He'd been wanting to for years.
"Fuck, I can't," Alfred finally said and set don his glass. "You win, dammit!"
Ivan smiled and set down his glass and Alfred laid his head down in an effort to ease his stomach.
"Well, congrats you alcoholic," Gilbert said then burped.
Ivan just laughed and shook his head.
"Please, I just have a higher tolerance," Ivan said and Gilbert just smacked his lips then got up.
"Imma go dance. Come on Mattie," Gilbert said as he grabbed Matthew.
"What? Why me?" Matthew asked as he dragged off.
The remaining table laughed, but Eliza got up as well and grabbed Roderich.
"I wanna dance too!"
Kiku followed after, having gotten comfortable after drinking so much. The strip club was still in intermission, which allowed for anyone to dance in the club. Though upon realizing that everyone was gone, Ivan saw that he was alone with Alfred.
"Do you want to dance?" Ivan asked, wanting to say something to the blonde.
Alfred picked his head up and looked at Ivan with interest.
"I would love ta, but I think I'd barf on ya from movin' too much."
Ivan laughed and Alfred moved to lean into Ivan.
"I missed ya," Alfred said and Ivan found himself falling silent.
"I missed you too."
Alfred smiled at hearing that and looked up at Ivan. He smiled even brighter at seeing the beard and moved a hand out to touch it.
"I bet all the girls are over you 'cause of this," Alfred mused as he touched the soft hair.
"I wouldn't say all girls," Ivan said as he leaned closer to Alfred, enjoying the touch.
Alfred just gave a hum, his drunk mind not understanding Ivan's meaning. All he knew as that Ivan was with him after so long and that his beard was really awesome.
"I wonder what you look like without it," Alfred said trying to picture Ivan from high school.
"Like my age, 24 instead of 30," Ivan said jokingly and Alfred snickered as he leaned in more.
Neither of them realized how close they were until their lips brushed together. Ivan swallowed thickly, knowing that what he was about to do was wrong. His friend was getting married, his friend was drunk, and yet… this would be his only chance. For four years he had struggled with this want, well most likely more than four if Ivan really thought about it. He hadn't realized how he felt about Alfred until college, until Toris kissed him one night when they were both buzzed on beer and stressed out from school.
"Vanya…"
Ivan felt his heart melt into a puddle as he heard his nickname and that was what did him in. He leaned forward and kissed Alfred sweetly. It was just a press of lips at first, Alfred was still against him, but Ivan still kept going. He moved his lips eagerly against Alfred's and to his surprise Alfred did to. Alfred kissed him back and moved his hands from Ivan's beard to his hair to hold him closer. Ivan wrapped his arms around Alfred, relishing in the feel of Alfred against his body, the taste of his kiss, and how good he was at using tongue. Ivan could feel himself getting swept away, but he knew he couldn't keep this up. Their friends would come back, and if they saw this… it would be disastrous.
Ivan had to pull away with every ounce of will he had. He wanted so badly to keep to going to have Alfred for himself for one night, but he couldn't. Alfred would be drunk and wouldn't remember a thing, hopefully, but there was still the issue of their friends. Ivan let go with reluctance and Alfred looked at him like he was the most amazing thing in the world.
"Wow."
Ivan reached up to unhook Alfred's hands from his hair and shoulder, then got up from the table.
"I'm going to the bathroom," was all he said before he left.
"You gonna puke?" Alfred asked his flushed face looking concerned.
"Yeah…"
It was a half-truth. Ivan felt sick to stomach because of booze and the fact that his pants felt tight. His chest ached as he got into the bathroom and barely got into a stall before he felt his eyes start to burn.
:/:/:/:/:
When the night ended and morning arrived, it was the day of the wedding. Ivan woke up to a dull pain in his head, the feeling of being too hot, and a tingling arm. He found himself lying on a couch in a hotel room couch that wasn't his own and with someone partially on top of him. He looked down at the person to see it to be none other than the groom. Alfred was drooling on his chest and had his arms and legs wrapped around him. Ivan found himself going into a near panic at realizing both of them where pants-less, thinking that they had sex even though he told himself he wouldn't.
'Calm down. It didn't happen, you idiot. Just think about this.'
Ivan took a deep breath through his nose and gently moved Alfred's head to see his neck. There were no hickies or bites, then looked around himself to find their friends splayed out on the floor in front of the TV passed out. There wouldn't have been a snowball's chance in hell that they had sex, so Ivan relaxed. Though upon doing so he realized he felt something hard pressing against him and he instantly thought back to the sleepovers they used to have. Ivan rolled his eyes then went about the task of getting out from underneath Alfred. It was tricky, but Ivan managed and got up. He looked back at Alfred then around the room before leaning down and giving a quick kiss to Alfred's non-drool covered check.
'There, that's the end of it. No more.' Ivan told himself internally then moved to the bathroom.
Ivan quickly relieved himself, then found Advil and a stack of disposable cups. He shot back the pills easily enough then splashed water onto his face. When he dried off he stared at himself in the mirror; he could still feel Alfred's fingers in his beard, could still feel the warmth of his lips. Ivan let out an exasperated sigh then touched his face replaying the night before in his head once more and wondering if he should shave. It wasn't because Alfred wanted to see him without it, but because it would be like a last hurrah? He had only grown it out because he got too busy to shave his face every three days. Between work and trying to find a relationship that wouldn't blow up in face, or be a waste of time, he just didn't have time for it.
"Hey, you done in there or what?" came a voice that sounded like Roderich.
Ivan looked at himself one last time before leaving the mirror and surrendering the bathroom.
:/:/:/:/:
By 4 o'clock on the dot Ivan was in a grassy backyard of a rented home with a private beach. He stood front and off to the right, clean shaven and feeling pretty okay. His tux was well tailored to his body and Alfred had given him a double take when he saw him. It seemed like the kiss from last night was lost on Alfred, for he was honestly surprised by Ivan's shaved face, like he hadn't suggested it the night before. Eliza commented that she had liked the beard, but everyone agreed he still looked hot, and younger too.
By 4:30 the last minute things were handled and Alfred was standing nervously as he awaited for Monika to arrive. Everyone was in attendance, Ivan's family even sitting next to Alfred's own like old times, smiling and giving him proud looks. Alfred looked back to Ivan and felt his heart race even more from doing so. He couldn't keep his eyes off of Ivan, without the beard he looked so different yet the same. He found himself focusing on the lips that curled up in a smile, but before his mind could wander further the music began. Monika appeared and her little cousin sprinkled violets and blue rose petals upon the ground in her wake on the white carpet. Monika wore a brilliant white dress with violet and baby blue accents that took Alfred's breath away. The moment she reached the makeshift altar resting in the backyard the preacher began.
The service was decently long and the vows oozed so much love and passion that Ivan felt a bit guilty. Nevertheless he stayed where he was, kept silent, and admired Alfred as he was wedded to Monika. After they signed their document and sealed their marriage with a kiss everyone cheered as they headed through the house and to the beach where the reception was held. Ivan clapped for them, expressing his happiness, as he thought, 'This is it.'
He joined his friends at the reception, and took a seat at the bride groom table that he was designated to. Alfred's fathers gave a speech to the couple, then Monika's parents did the same, followed by Alice, and then Ivan was handed the mic as well. Ivan gawked at it like it was an alien creature and Alfred leaned over to whisper that Ivan didn't have to give a speech. Ivan knew he'd love to take that offer, but he couldn't. He was the best man after all.
Ivan took the mic and stood up, a heavy heart in his chest as he looked at everyone in the tent and then the couple beside him.
"I didn't think I'd be speaking, since someone didn't tell me about it," Ivan started and gave a pointed look to Alfred, who just smiled. The crowd laughed lightly then fell silent as Ivan continued. "I honestly don't know what to say… Just… Alfred has been with me for years and even though we had our disagreement long ago, he still invited me here today. He really is a one of a kind friend and I'm glad we made up so I could attend this night. Monika is a lovely woman and I knew Alfred loved her the day he spotted her. He looked ready to drool on himself when we saw her at the beach on Senior Skip Day." Everyone laughed and Alfred just blushed darkly. "But you two are truly a pair. Congratulations."
Everyone cheered and clapped when Ivan finished, and he handed the mic off to Francis who patted him on the back. Francis announced that the cake was ready at that moment and Alfred and Monika stood up. They walked over to a giant 5 tier cake decorated in flowers and white fondant. At the top the figure of a bride had her husband in her arms bridal style, which got a few laughs. The couple cut into the cake and entwined their arms to eat it in sync then drink the first of many champagnes of the night. With that the ceremony was now a free for all of food and drink until it was time for the first dance. The sound of Jessie Ware's "Wildest Moments" played as the two slow danced together across the floor. Alfred mouthed the words and commented on how beautiful his wife was which had Monika giggling. Alfred smiled brightly and kissed Monika as the song ended and soon "Dancing on Glass" by St. Lucia started playing and everyone joined in—Ivan wasn't an exception either. Katyusha had yanked him out on the floor and he was trapped with her.
"I'm proud of you," Katyusha said knowing how much this wedding put a strain on Ivan.
Ivan smiled at her and thanked her. He had told Katyusha everything back in his first year of college. Told her about Alfred, their fight, his feelings towards him, and dating Toris. She had been the one to help him come to terms with everything, to realize he was in love with Alfred and he was just using Toris to fill that space. She had been understanding and even helped him come out to the rest of his family just last year.
When the song ended Alfred bumped into Ivan and Monika smiled at Ivan as she said, "You two should dance!"
This idea was quickly backed by friends and family, and Alfred looked up to Ivan with a slightly red face.
"Whaddaya say?" Alfred asked.
"Why not?"
The song changed to Troye Sivan's "Youth" and Alfred and Ivan did their best to slow dance and not step on each other. Everyone cheered and Ivan felt his face turn a bit pink as he realized how fitting the song was for them. They twirled during the fast parts of the song and Alfred felt dizzier than ever. It reminded him of the kiss they shared the night before, the dizzy feeling he got in his head when he realized Ivan was kissing him. He had played off the night as a lost memory, but he knew he'd never forget it. Thinking about it now even made him want to kiss Ivan. He didn't really understand it, but he wanted to.
"I'm glad you came," Alfred said trying to get his head in order.
"I'm glad you invited me," Ivan said with a smile.
The song soon ended and Ivan dipped Alfred, which got cheers and cat calls. Once they separated the night went on as a grand party and Ivan found himself making the best of it.
**Ah, it hurts doesn't it, but hey it'll... work out in the end :3c Thanks for the reviews so far! See yall on Sunday!
